Horror manga
This list is a supplement to my list of Western horror and supernatural comic books. While researching that list, I came across so many recommendations for the works of Japanese authors that I decided to make a separate list devoted solely to horror manga. While the current list is primarily based on manga-specific sources, I would like to emphasize that many of the titles included here are widely regarded as the foremost exemplars of the horror genre in the medium of comic books broadly conceived, regardless of language or culture. The works of Junji Ito, in particular, are mentioned more frequently than those of any other horror creator. But while Ito is the undisputed king of the macabre in sequential art, there is far more to horror manga than his works.
While I did read about one-third of the items included here, I must admit that I’m a little out of my depth when it comes to manga in general, and thus don’t feel qualified to make any sweeping statements about its representation of horror themes (or the way it differs from that of Western comics).
However, even from a layperson’s perspective, it’s easy to observe a wide range of styles and approaches. While some authors excel at disturbing graphic gore (including the notorious subgenre of ero guro), others specialize in a more subtle psychological variety of dread. Horror comedy, in which the light tone of the narrative is frequently contrasted with shocking imagery, appears to be relatively popular as well. Then there are many horror-inflected action tales and examples of the survival game drama subgenre. During my research, I cast a wide net and happily accepted every title described as horror by someone; but if you find that some of them would be more adequately described as thrillers or simply non-genre stories with unsettling themes, I won’t argue!
Personally, I found that I prefer horror manga at its most unhinged, graphic, and visceral. I’m also frequently impressed by the detailed, nightmarish designs of creatures, monsters, and demons. However, as this list demonstrates, it is only a small portion of what Japanese horror comics have to offer.
Uzumaki
by Junji Ito
(1998–1999)
3 volumes
5 figs out of 5
Shiver
by Junji Ito
(1990–2015)
Collection of 10 stories · Stand-in for all Junji Ito's short story collections
5 figs out of 5
The Drifting Classroom
by Kazuo Umezu
(1972–1974)
11 volumes
4.5 figs out of 5
Berserk
by Kentaro Miura
(1989–)
41 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Fuan no Tane
by Nakayama Masaaki
(2002–2005)
3 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Ibitsu
by Ryou Haruto
(2009–2010)
2 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Parasyte
by Hitoshi Iwaaki
(1989–1995)
10 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Gyo
by Junji Ito
(2001–2002)
2 volumes
4 figs out of 5
I Am a Hero
by Kengo Hanazawa
(2009–2017)
22 volumes
4 figs out of 5
PTSD Radio
by Nakayama Masaaki
(2010–)
6 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Homunculus
by Hideo Yamamoto
(2003–2011)
15 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Tomie
by Junji Ito
(1987–2000)
3 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Gantz
by Oku Hiroya
(2000–2013)
37 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Franken Fran
by Katsuhisa Kigitsu
(2006–2012)
8 volumes
4 figs out of 5
Blood on the Tracks
by Oshimi Shuuzou
(2017–)
15 volumes
3.5 figs out of 5
The Hound and Other Stories
by Gou Tanabe
(2009–2014)
Collection of 3 stories
3.5 figs out of 5
At the Mountains of Madness
by Gou Tanabe
(2016–2017)
4 volumes
3.5 figs out of 5
Dragon Head
by Mochizuki Minetaro
(1994–1999)
10 volumes
3.5 figs out of 5
Panorama of Hell
by Hideshi Hino
(1983)
1 volume
3.5 figs out of 5
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service
by Eiji Otsuka and Housui Yamazaki
(2002–)
28 volumes
3.5 figs out of 5
Hideout
by Kakizaki Masasumi
(2010)
1 volume
3.5 figs out of 5
Ichi the Killer
by Hideo Yamamoto
(1998–2001)
10 volumes
3.5 figs out of 5
Battle Royale
by Masayuki Taguchi and Koushun Takami
(2000–2005)
15 volumes
3 figs out of 5
MPD Psycho
by Sho-u Tajima and Eiji Otsuka
(1996–2016)
24 volumes, 155 chapters
3 figs out of 5
Monster
by Naoki Urasawa
(1994–2001)
18 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Higurashi When They Cry
by Ryukishi07
(2005–2011)
38 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Goodnight Punpun
by Inio Asano
(2007–2013)
13 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Doubt
by Yoshiki Tonogai
(2007–2009)
4 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Remina
by Junji Ito
(2004–2005)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
God's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand
by Kazuo Umezu
(1986–1989)
6 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Tokyo Ghoul
by Ishida Sui
(2011–2014)
14 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Zashiki Onna
by Mochizuki Minetaro
(1993)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
Pet Shop of Horrors
by Matsuri Akino
(2004–2012)
12 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Lychee Light Club
by Usamaru Furuya
(2005–2006)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
The Laughing Vampire
by Suehiro Maruo
(1998)
2 volumes, 19 chapters
3 figs out of 5
Another
by Yukito Ayatsuji and Hiro Kiyohara
(2010–2011)
4 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Mieruko-chan
by Izumi Tomoki
(2018–)
8 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Dorohedoro
by Q Hayashida
(2000–2018)
23 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Blame!
by Tsutomu Nihei
(1997–2003)
10 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show
by Suehiro Maruo
(1984)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
Fraction
by Shintarou Kago
(2009)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
The Flowers of Evil
by Shuzo Oshimi
(2009–2014)
11 volumes, 58 chapters
3 figs out of 5
Happiness
by Shuzo Oshimi
(2015–2019)
10 volumes
3 figs out of 5
Suicide Club (Jisatsu Circle)
by Usamaru Furuya
(2002)
1 volume
3 figs out of 5
Elfen Lied
by Lynn Okamoto
(2002–2005)
12 volumes
3 figs out of 5
BioMeat: Nectar
by Yuki Fujisawa
(2000–2002)
12 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
You Will Hear the Voice of the Dead
by Sachiko Uguisu and Sachiko Hiyodori
(2011–2018)
12 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Hellsing
by Kouta Hirano
(1997–2008)
10 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Fourteen
by Kazuo Umezu
(1990–1995)
20 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Starving Anonymous
by Yuu Kuraishi and Kazu Inabe
(2014–2018)
7 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Manhole
by Tetsuya Tsutsui
(2004–2006)
3 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Shiki
by Ryu Fujisaki
(2007–2011)
11 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Goth
by Otsuichi and Kendi Oiwa
(2002–2003)
1 volume
2.5 figs out of 5
Hell Baby
by Hideshi Hino
(1982)
1 volume
2.5 figs out of 5
Kijin Gahou
by Shintarou Kago
(2014)
Collection of 9 stories · Stand-in for all Shintarou Kago's short story collections
2.5 figs out of 5
Freak Island
by Masaya Hokazono
(2013–)
9 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Pumpkin Night
by Masaya Hokazono
(2016)
7 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Orochi
by Kazuo Umezu
(1969–1970)
6 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Devilman
by Go Nagai
(1972–1973)
5 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Ajin: Demi-Human
by Gamon Sakurai
(2012–2021)
17 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
God's Child
by Nishioka Kyoudai
(2009–2010)
1 volume
2.5 figs out of 5
Corpse Party
by Makoto Kedouin and Toshimi Shinomiya
(2015)
2 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Bastard
by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan
(2014–2016)
5 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
No Longer Human
by Junji Ito
(2017–2018)
3 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Nijigahara Holograph
by Inio Asano
(2003–2005)
1 volume
2.5 figs out of 5
Mail
by Housui Yamazaki
(1999–2005)
3 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Magical Girl Apocalypse
by Kentaro Sato
(2012–2017)
16 volumes
2.5 figs out of 5
Domu: A Child's Dream
by Katsuhiro Otomo
(1980–1981)
1 volume
2.5 figs out of 5
